An additional 1,445 cases of coronavirus have been identified in Los Angeles County along with 36 additional deaths, as protests continue across Southern California.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis noted that the national unemployment rate may have fallen to only 13.3 percent nationwide, but that the impact of unemployment would be felt in Los Angeles County for months to come.

“As we continue to reopen our economy we hope to provide some relief to those who can get back to work right away,” said Solis. “I want to remind everyone that we are also needing to continue to work to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

The rate of unemployment in Los Angeles County soared to 19.6 percent during the height of the shutdown, causing 1.6 million residents to file for unemployment, according to Solis.

“I want to ensure that during these increasingly difficult times everyone stays connected with family and loved ones,” said Solis. “Our lives have changed abruptly which is why it’s so important to take care of our mental health it’s okay to ask for help.”

Solis noted that she supports peaceful protestors in their search for justice, especially in how it related to the “public health crisis” of police brutality.

An additional 1,445 COVID-19 cases were reported Friday throughout Los Angeles County. The County total of coronavirus cases now stands at 61,045 according to Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of the L.A. County Department of Public Health.

Ferrer cautioned anyone who might be involved in protests to continue taking coronavirus into account by wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and adhering to self-isolation if they have tested positive for COVID-19.

Over 180,000 coronavirus tests have been conducted across Los Angeles County, with about 8 percent testing positive for the virus, according to Ferrer. However, she noted that 86 percent of people who tested positive were asymptomatic, underlining the need for social distancing and other measures in order to prevent spread to others.

6,833 people who tested positive for COVID-19 have been hospitalized at some point during their illness, accounting for roughly 11 percent of all positive cases within Los Angeles County.

Of those, 6,833 are currently hospitalized, according to public health officials.

Ferrer noted that there had been a significant increase in the number of people hospitalized, and cautioned that preventative measures must continue in order to support proper health care.

36 new deaths were reported Friday, bringing the total of COVID-19-related deaths to 2,565 in Los Angeles County, according to Ferrer.

About 94 percent of all deaths in the county had underlying health conditions, according to Ferrer, further encouraging those with medical issues to stay home, if possible.

As of Thursday afternoon, a total of 1,849 cumulative cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the Santa Clarita Valley since testing began in March. These include:

• 807 in the City of Santa Clarita*
• 36 in the unincorporated areas of Canyon Country
• 930 in Castaic*
• Four in the unincorporated areas of Saugus
• 34 in Stevenson Ranch
• Nine in the unincorporated areas of Valencia
• 28 in the unincorporated areas of Val Verde
• One in the unincorporated areas of Newhall

*As of Thursday, June 4, officials had recorded 1,285 cumulative cases among prisoners at the North County Correctional Facility, and 86 at the Peter J. Pitchess Detention Center. Those cases are counted in both the Santa Clarita and Castaic totals. 

Additionally, 9 cases have been confirmed in nearby Agua Dulce, as well as 11 in Action.

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